What's the Best Travel Kettle?

Reviews and Tips for Buying Electric Travel Kettles

If you're planning a long trip with lots of hotel stays, spend a lot of time on the road and in airports, or if you simply don't want to leave home without the ability to have your caffeine fix, a travel kettle may be a worthwhile investment. There are many different brands of travel kettles available on the market today, and they come with all sorts of different features to suit your needs. In this article, we'll take a look at the various types of kettles available to travelers and discuss what consumers should look for when purchasing travel kettles to help you make the best decision.

Choosing a Travel Kettle

Most travel kettles are made from either glass, stainless steel, copper or plastic, with plastic being the most popular. A plastic travel kettle is easy to store, carry and keep clean on the road,and many of these models include matching plastic cups for easy serving. Plastic kettles are also lighter than those made with other materials, which makes them easier to transport. It's recommended that you avoid glass, as it can be broken easier in your luggage, especially if you're boarding a plane and not taking it in your carry-on luggage.

Some of the most common features of travel kettles include:

Automatic shut-off

U.S. and European adapter plugs

12V charging for use in cars, boats and other vehicles

Water level indicator

Ergonomic handles for easier carrying

Cordless models or detachable base

For the most part, an electric travel kettle should have all the functions of traditional electric kettles, but it should be smaller, lighter and designed for easy travel. Here are some of the things you should look for when buying a travel kettle:

Small size for easy carrying

Water gauge or indicator so you can see how much fluid it contains

Automatic shut-off for added safety

Made of plastic so it's easy to clean and dry quickly

Sturdy construction to prevent damage while traveling

Also keep in mind that a good travel tea kettle often costs more money than a similarly sized regular kettle. This is most likely because of its durability and longevity, which are required to keep it in good shape while traveling. If you can fit a full-size kettle into your luggage, you may be able to get the job done for less money, but remember that a kettle designed for this purpose will stand up to the rigors of travel far better than a regular electric kettle.

The Best Travel Kettle: A Review

The best travel kettle on the market, according to numerous customer reviews and ratings, is the European Travel Water Heater. While it's technically called a "water heater," it truly is a remarkable little electric kettle that you can take with you anywhere on the road. It features a European and U.S. adapter plug, which makes it ideal for international travel. It also has automatic shut-off, optional filling through the lid and fast heating of water. It fits nicely inside your suitcase and is very lightweight. Plus, it heats enough water to fill a large-sized mug or thermos, or to serve two people a cup of coffee. You may need to boil more than one batch for more people (or buy more than one kettle).

At the time of this writing, the European travel kettle has an average customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com and costs around $60 to buy. While it does cost more than traditional kettles, it provides the convenient features of being lightweight, made of plastic and designed for travel. It won't break, fall apart or become damaged when carried in a well-packed suitcase, and it works in any country with electrical outlets.